Only Test, Bangladesh vs Afghanistan Day 5 preview: Afghanistan to go for a memorable win

Afghanistan have established their domination and are now only four wickets away from their second Test match win. In a rain-affected day, only 52 overs were possible but it was enough for Afghanistan to first set up a target of 398 for Bangladesh and then take six wickets.

Afsar Zazai and Yamin Ahmadzai started the day after a slight rain delay and added 23 vital runs before Ahmadzai was run out. The last man Zahir Khan could only survive two balls and Afghanistan were all out for 260. Zazai remained unbeaten on 48.

Bangladeshi openers Liton Das and Shadman Islam batted solidly for nine overs to take the score to 30/0 till lunch. The game took a positive turn for Afghanistan after lunch. Liton was given caught behind on Zahir Khan’s first delivery of the innings which he successfully overturned using DRS. However, after two deliveries he was gone LBW. Bangladesh sent Mosaddek Hossain at number three but he could add only 12 and was Zahir Khan’s second victim. Then Rashid Khan got into the act and scalped dangerous Mushfiqur Rahim for 23 and first innings half centurion Mominul Haque for just three. Bangladesh were in danger with 82/4 when Shakib Al Hasan joined Shadman and the duo took Bangladesh to 102/4 before tea.

Only 10.2 overs were possible after tea but Bangladesh lost two more wickets during this time and added 34 runs. Rain returned to end the day’s match quickly although Shakib (39*) is still there in the middle, after being dropped once by Rashid. Soumya Sarkar is batting at number 8 and yet to open his accounts.

Shakib does not really have anyone left to provide him the much needed support. Afghanistan have all the opportunity to win the match convincingly. However, a few hours of rain can leave them heartbroken.

Key Players

Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh)- For Afghans, the biggest obstacle in their path to victory is Shakib Al Hasan. One of the mainstays of Bangladesh batting will make some more fans if he can save Bangladesh tomorrow from an embarrassing defeat. Shakib will focus on his normal game and expect support from Soumya and the rest of the batsmen.

Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)- Rashid Khan looked potent and always capable of taking wickets whenever he came to bowl. He already has eight wickets in the match and two more wickets will make him the first Afghan to have 10 wickets in a Test match and also only the third captain after Allan Border and Imran Khan to have a half-century and ten wickets in the same Test match.

Brief scores

Afghanistan 342 (Rahmat Shah 102, Asghar Afghan 92, Rashid Khan 51; Taijul Islam 4/116) and 260 (Ibrahim Zadran 87, Asghar Afghan 50; Shakib Al Hasan 3/58) lead Bangladesh 205 (Mominul Haque 52; Rashid Khan 5/55, Mohammad Nabi 3/56) and 136/6 (Shadman Islam 41, Shakib Al Hasan 39*; Rashid Khan 3/46) by 261 runs.

Prediction

Afghanistan to complete a memorable victory despite some rain.